While driving out towards Pailin, near the Thai border I passed several children (seen above) jumping into a drainage canal. So is the joy of simple things in Cambodia…there is an innocence here, and children enjoy the feeling of flight and freedom of jumping, swimming and playing. When I stopped along the road to make some pictures, they got all excited and kept jumping and laughing.
- English language school, Battambang, Cambodia
Above, a shot of the library of the English Language School where The Asia Foundation has donated books through their “Books for Asia” project.
students in class practicing their English
The Cambodian educational system was decimated by decades of civil war and Khmer Rouge rule. While adult literacy in this country of 14.2 million people is at 75.6 percent, only 28 percent of eligible children were enrolled in secondary school for the 2008-2009 school year according to the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Students in government funded schools choose between English and French to fulfill their second language requirement in grades 5-12. There is an insatiable demand for children’s books for young readers and for adults learning English.
- Arriving at English Language School
Books for Asia is a crucial strategic partner in rebuilding the Cambodian education infrastructure, distributing over 35,000 new books donated by American publishers annually to around 100 schools, universities, nongovernmental organizations, libraries, and medical institutes. Books for Asia delivers books to 20 of Cambodia’s 24 provinces and municipalities. Since 2000, many new universities have been established in Cambodia, and Books for Asia is the only organization providing English language books at the university level.
Interviewing a former Khmer Rouge soldier, who's now working on community develplment
More text and photos to follow when I’m able to access the internet….thanks for following the blog.
Ponleur Kumar
You captured some great moments in Cambodia and provide excellent context for the images. Thanks for your excellent work documenting the program. Melody Zavala (Director, Books for Asia, San Francisco)